Our Mission is to support our members and provide a unified voice in sustaining and enhancing community-focused health services in South Dakota through advocacy, education, data, and communication.
During 2011, CMS established a Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI) program that was mandated by the
Affordable Care Act and produced tools and resources and developed technical assistance that will help nursing homes improve
the lives of nursing home residents through continuous attention to quality of care and quality of life.
These activities included:
• Review of existing tools and development of new ones that will help nursing homes implement and manage QAPI processes;
• Establishment of a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) of national experts in nursing home quality to assist and guide in the development of the tools, resources and technical assistance that will be rolled out nationally; • Development and launch of a demonstration project in 17 homes across 4 States to test implementation strategies and effectiveness of the QAPI project tools, resources, and technical assistance;
• Onsite technical assistance liaisons were sent to visit each nursing home in the demonstration project, providing facilities with individualized technical assistance as well as eliciting specific feedback on the tools and resources being used; • Development of learning collaboratives based on the IHI (Institute for Healthcare Improvement) model, which support and reinforce learning by the demonstration homes; and • Engagement of stakeholders from around the country in an ongoing dialogue around dissemination strategies for national rollout.
During 2012, CMS preparation continues for release of early prototype QAPI tools and resources.
These activities include the following:
• QAPI Questionnaire: On June 25th, CMS distributed a 20-minute questionnaire to a representative sample of 4,200 randomly selected nursing homes. The findings will be used to (1) address identified challenges and barriers to implementing effective QAPI programs and (2) shape the direction and content of the QAPI tools and resources. • Rollout of Prototype Tools on CMS’ QAPI Webpage: In late Summer, CMS will post early prototypes of some of the tools and resources we have been developing. This will be an opportunity for nursing homes to try out these tools and provide feedback. • Resources for Consumers: CMS will continue to engage consumers and consumer advocacy groups to assist in development of resources and training materials that will empower consumers and advocates in their roles in nursing home QAPI. • Tools and Education for Nursing Home Surveyors: CMS will also continue to develop surveyor training materials and worksheets to enhance surveyors’ ability to identify QAPI concerns.
The tools for Nursing Homes will be posted in the Downloads and Related Links areas at the bottom to CMS’ QAPI page.
